difficult to explain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to explain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a concept, situation, or feeling that is hard to articulate or clarify. Example: "The emotions I felt during that moment were so complex that they were difficult to explain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I find it difficult to explain.

Independent

Meteorite fragments are more difficult to explain.

The Economist

"It's difficult to explain," Koeman said.

The Guardian - Sport

It is difficult to explain why.

The New York Times

So the choice remains difficult to explain.

The New York Times

It is difficult to explain".

The Guardian - Sport

Villas-Boas said: "It isaidffItult to explais.

Independent

Some things are difficult to explain logically.

Columbia University

"Well, it's difficult to explain," he said.

The New York Times

"It's very difficult to explain to them".

The New York Times

The reasons are not difficult to explain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult to explain", consider adding context to clarify why something is hard to explain, enhancing understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to explain" as a vague placeholder. Instead, briefly mention the specific aspects that make it challenging to explain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to explain" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying an implied noun, expressing the inherent challenge in articulating or conveying a concept or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to explain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating the complexity or obscurity of a concept or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct across various contexts, notably in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives like "hard to articulate" or "challenging to describe" exist, "difficult to explain" remains a versatile choice. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to articulate

Emphasizes the struggle to express something clearly in words.

challenging to describe

Highlights the complexity involved in providing a description.

tough to convey

Focuses on the difficulty of communicating something effectively.

not easily understood

Shifts the focus to the audience's comprehension.

presents an explanatory challenge

Formal rephrasing that frames the phrase as a specific problem.

defies simple explanation

Highlights the fact that there is no easy or straightforward explanation.

obscure in its reasoning

Focuses on the reasoning behind something being unclear and difficult to understand.

complicated to elucidate

A formal variation emphasizing the complexity of clarifying something.

requires considerable unpacking

Suggests that significant effort is needed to understand the underlying details.

nuances are hard to define

Highlights the complexities of specific qualities or features of something that are subtle and hard to pin down.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to explain" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult to explain" to describe feelings, concepts, or situations that are hard to articulate. For example, "The phenomenon is "difficult to explain" due to its complexity".

What can I say instead of "difficult to explain"?

You can use alternatives like "hard to articulate", "challenging to describe", or "tough to convey" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "difficult to explain" or "hard to explain"?

Both "difficult to explain" and "hard to explain" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Difficult" is generally considered more formal than "hard", but the choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "difficult to explain" and "difficult to understand"?

"Difficult to explain" refers to something that is challenging to articulate or describe, while "difficult to understand" refers to something that is challenging to comprehend. The former focuses on the speaker's struggle to convey information, and the latter on the listener's struggle to grasp it.